A YouGov poll titled “Britons have a more negative view of immigration in 2026 than in 2016” reveals that 47% of Britons want a partial or total reduction in Israeli immigrants. This marks an eight-point increase from 39% in 2016, reflecting hardening public attitudes toward specific migrant nationalities across the United Kingdom.
Public sentiment regarding immigration has shifted visibly over the past decade. While economic debates usually center around aggregate numbers, this recent data uncovers how nationality-specific preferences are evolving across the British electorate. Here is why that matters for international observers watching the UK’s social fabric.
Shifting Demographics and Public Sentiment in 2026
When pollsters asked respondents which countries the UK should allow more or fewer migrants from, 23% opted for fewer Israeli immigrants, while 24% stated there should be none at all. According to JPost.com, this brings the combined total of those desiring restrictions to 47%. That figure represents a notable climb from the 39% recorded in a comparable 2016 survey.
Public opinion does not exist in a vacuum. British citizens are processing a complex web of geopolitical tensions, domestic economic pressures, and shifting cultural identities. But there is a catch when examining how these views distribute across traditional political fault lines.
Political Divides: Remain Versus Leave and Party Lines
The YouGov data also tracked how the views of those who voted Remain or Leave in the Brexit referendum have changed over the last ten years. Generally, both camps shifted their opinions in the same direction. Yet, a striking divergence emerged regarding the United States and Israel.
Remain voters grew significantly more negative toward migrants from the US and Israel compared to a decade prior. Specifically, the percentage of Remain voters wanting fewer or no migrants from Israel jumped from 27% in 2016 to 41% in 2026. Conversely, Leave voters held steady, with 52% favoring restrictions in both years.
When broken down by party preference in the 2024 elections, opposition appeared across the political spectrum:
| Political Affiliation (2024 Vote) | Percentage Wanting Fewer or No Israeli Migrants |
|---|---|
| Reform UK | ~52% – 53% |
| Green Party | ~52% – 53% |
| Labour Party | Mid-to-high 40s |
| Conservative Party | Mid-to-high 40s |
| Liberal Democrats | ~41% |
These numbers demonstrate that skepticism toward certain nationalities is no longer the exclusive domain of any single political faction. Reform UK and Green voters registered the highest levels of restrictionist sentiment, yet mainstream parties linger closely behind.
Where Israel Ranks Among Global Nationalities
To understand the broader landscape, one must look at how Israel compares to other nations on the YouGov list. Russia recorded the highest combined opposition to immigration at 58%, followed closely by Pakistan at 52% and Nigeria at 48%. Israel sits immediately next at 47%, followed by Egypt and India at 44%, and Turkey at 43%.
Meanwhile, Leave voters demonstrated a notable softening toward certain European and Asian nations, becoming substantially more welcoming toward Polish, French, German, and Japanese migrants.
These findings illustrate a deeply fragmented public consciousness in Britain. As geopolitical realignments continue to play out on the world stage, domestic perceptions of who belongs in the UK are shifting in unexpected directions. How policymakers choose to address these underlying public anxieties will shape international mobility and diplomatic relations for years to come. What are your thoughts on how public polling influences foreign policy? Let us know in the discussion below.
